|
Sports cling on to top flight status
After watching the match at Mountnessing I had originally planned to head straight back home to watch the FA Cup Final live on TV. I had not missed a live final in over thirty years since Leeds United played Chelsea back in 1970 and so my decision to attend a Middlesex County League game was quite understandably (to some at at least) was not an easy one to make.
But I had to convince myself this was the right thing to do. I suppose my journey across London wasn't going to be too far, there was also the lure of a programme. Apart from this it was still only 1.45pm which left about an hour to cover the ten miles or so into Walthamstow. After a quick phone call home to the missus who dutifully promised to press the record button on the Sky Remote control at one minute to three, I finally made my mind up and it was game on.
However after only ten minutes into my journey, the nagging doubts quickly returned! I had travelled about a mile and already my anxt was returning; the route along the A12 was turning into an absolute nightmare. The endless sets of traffic lights, broken down vehicles and unpredictable London buses all of seemed to conspire against my plans. Within minutes the sign for Walthamstow appeared on the overhead gantry and my grip on the steering wheel became more relaxed. Eventually I negotiated my final set of the speed bumps and turned into the Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, temporary home of Mauritius Sports (whilst cricket is being played on their home ground at the Fredrick Knight Sports Ground in Tottenham).
I was greeted by several other travellers who soon informed me that all of the match programmes had gone. This was disappointing but not life threatening! I added my name to the gowing list of 'hoppers who would be sent a copy later in the week courtesy of Royal Mail and took up my position pitchside. The game featured the Premier League's bottom two clubs. Visitors Stonewall had already been relegated but Sports could still escape the drop if they gained the necessary points from their remaing three games.
For the record Stonewall produced one of their best performances of the season by recording a 4-0 victory; notably Ian Drain scored a hat-trick with goals in the 22nd, 44th and 73rd minutes. The visitors deserved their victory but will definitely need to improve if they are going to cling on to their Premier Division status. A basic 12 page programme was issued for the game which attracted nearly forty spectators. A range of hot and cold food was available from the club house before and after the game.
The venue occupies a large site and serves many sports. An impressive building and large car park are close to the main entrance of the complex; the football pitches (including a floodlit astroturf facility) are found on a large playing area around the back. The main pitch runs alongside the embankment close to the main Lockwood Reservoir; there are two dug outs positioned next to the half-way line but there is no other cover. To reach the club follow signs for Walthamstow from the main North Circular Road and take the A112 Chingford Road (before joining the A503 Forest Road). This leads on to the ground in Coppermill Road.
Incidentally, my programme did arrive in the post a few days later and it is a credit to the editor for taking the time and trouble to send me a copy; it is also refreshing to note that there are some clubs out there who do write back and meet requests for programmes! As for the Cup Final I did manage to pick up radio coverage on the way home which was a real bonus. This was also my last game of the season until it all kicks-off again come August!!
FGIF Rating: 3* | 